AE86 - 4AGE sump removal

**Wedged'86** · 02-11-2012, 05:50 PM

hi,

I Have severely F*$cked myself here.

Went to remove the sump pan to replace the gasket and after taking all the bolts out and breaking the seal i find that it doesn't just come straight out, the x-member holds it in.....

Did some research and i find that you can take 4 bolts out to remove the oil pickup so as to slide it out, well oneof those bolts is extremely tight and will strip if i mess with it anymore....

So i supported the engine with a bit of timber and straps and lifted it up a bit, then undid engine mounts to drop the crossmember but i can't seem to get that off.... i believe that you need to take the brackets that hold the steering rack off to drop it, however one of those is megatight and began to strip when i had a ring spanner on it...

I don't know if i have to take the LCAs off to get the x-member off but if i do i will have to take the steering arm off to get the LCA bolt out and that means another wheel alignment.

Car has been off the road for almost a month now, i can't go forward, and i can't go back, seal broken, sump unsealed.

as you can see i'm having a bastard of a time with it..... for the love of sweet christ please help me.

**aussierider** · 02-11-2012, 06:07 PM

There is Four bolts that secure the cross member to the chassis, 2 per side undo those and you should be able to drop the cross member and leave the steering rack attached , just undo the uni joint to the steering column , don't forget to mark its position with a paint pen.

**Wedged'86** · 02-11-2012, 06:16 PM

not to contradict you, but the steering rack is attatched to the x-member by two brackets, i'm pretty sure.

And would i not have to unbolt LCAs to drop it?

As it is i have all 4 bolts undone but when i lever it it doesn't just drop, its being held in by something

**aussierider** · 02-11-2012, 06:46 PM

The steering rack can stay attached to the cross member and come out with it, but you have to detach the steering column from it.
That way it is not attached to the car at all, only the cross member.
If you don't want to disconnect the sway bar,tie rods and lca's, you can unbolt your strut tops ,castor rod brackets and brake calipers (remeber to disconnect the lines from the struts and hang them) then let the whole thing drop to the ground.
just remeber to support it all on a jack because it will be quiet heavy.